ORISE provides expertise in the medical management of radiation incidents through the operation of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site
(REAC/TS), a dedicated DOE facility located in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

The University Radioactive Ion Beam (UNIRIB) consortium consists of eight member universities that partner to perform basic nuclear physics research using the fast-growing technique of radioactive ion beams.

Through the Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, ORISE works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to perform research focused on air quality, contaminant dispersion and climate.

Through the Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, ORISE works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to perform air quality, contaminant dispersion and climate research.

Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM)

As greater attention is being directed toward the decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of nuclear facilities, the need for a standardized approach for implementing the necessary radiological surveys has become increasingly important.

Published in December 1997, MARSSIM provides detailed guidance for planning, implementing and evaluating environmental and facility radiological surveys to demonstrate compliance with a dose- or risk-based regulation. MARSSIM focuses on the demonstration of compliance during the final status survey once scoping, characterization and any necessary remedial actions are completed.

MARSSIM provides a single, nationally consistent guide for verifying that radioactively contaminated sites have been cleaned up to standards. Combining this information into one manual has increased efficiency, and has eliminated the confusion that can result from contractors working from multiple manuals.

ORISE’s involvement in the development of MARSSIM

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) maintained an important role in the development of the manual because of our vast experience in designing and conducting radiological surveys. ORISE has demonstrated its expertise through:

original MARSSIM workgroup membership

development of COMPASS software to facilitate the use of MARSSIM

development of the first MARSSIM training course with more than 80 courses successfully completed

Training

Support to MARSSIM users is offered through a five-day training course (offered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities) for individuals who will be responsible for the decision-making processes involved in the design and implementation of a MARSSIM-based D&D survey.

The MARSSIM course is offered several times each year in Oak Ridge, Tenn., but can also be arranged to accommodate off-site training requests. Additional information on the course, its schedule, and how to register can be found on the ORAU website.